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New replay system to be tested next week

New replay system to be tested next week

Joe Torre offers the latest on the state of Instant Replay while meeting with the media at the Owners' Meetings in Denver

By Mike Fiammetta and Zack Meisel
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MLB.com |

Major League Baseball owners approved the trial of two advanced instant-replay systems to be used in games beginning next week, an industry source confirmed to MLB.com.

Yahoo Sports first reported that MLB will use two different systems -- one using radar and the other using cameras -- to judge balls down each foul line. MLB implemented the technology in Yankee Stadium and Citi Field and will commence the trials next week when the Mets play host to the Rockies and Astros, and the following week, when the Yankees play host to the Blue Jays and Orioles.

"For years and years and years, the answer was, 'No.' I wasn't in favor of it," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "I thought that this was a game played by human beings who make mistakes. But now, the technology is so good, it can happen so fast, you might as well use it. Get the calls right, because with what's happening now, we're seeing tough calls that can change the course of a pennant race."

For now, the systems will not influence the games. According to Yahoo, MLB wants to establish that the system is accurate and worthwhile before using it in other Major League ballparks.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who put together a 14-person committee to discuss replay initiatives, intimated during his town hall meeting at July's All-Star Game that this would be the next step in expanding instant replay.

"We're going to expand it," Selig said, "when we get all the proper cameras on bullets hit down the left- and right-field line plus trap plays in the outfield."

A common criticism of instant replay in baseball has been the time it would add onto games, though Collins insisted that shouldn't be a concern.

"It's miniscule," Collins said. "It would take a lot less time to go look at a replay than to go out and argue a call. So why not get it right?"

Mike Fiammetta is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Zack Meisel is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @zackmeisel. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.